May 17 is observed as International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQ+ rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTQ+ rights work worldwide. To commemorate the day, IWB has teamed up with activists and artists who are working for the welfare of the LGBTQ+ community.

We asked them to throw some light on the matters they think are the least talked about in India when it comes to empowering the Gender Minority. With their help, we’re trying to get access to the insights that only the community people have and give them the right coverage.

In 2014, IWB happened to meet this beautiful artist from Bangalore named Poornima Sukumar, who often initiates campaigns to make the presence of LGBTQ+ people more noticeable in our society. Her NGO Aravani Art Project is a collective movement that empowers the Transgender Community through Visual Arts and socially inclusive experiments.

We phoned Poornima to understand how, through her art projects, she’s fighting Homophobia and Transphobia around her. Excerpts below:

We’ve repeatedly expressed our love for the way you reclaim the Indian streets where the Transgender community often faces discrimination and harassment. How victorious has this project been so far?

The project ‘Meri id… Meri Pehchan’ was positively received by common people and artists from all over who joined us to add colors to our mission. With these huge murals, we want to document the confusion, dilemma, and happiness the Transgender community experienced before and after they were recognized as a third gender in India. As human beings and civilians of a democracy, they couldn’t enjoy their identity for the longest time. How unfortunate. I simply want to express our mutual pleasure through these portraits.

Thank you. In fact, every city we went to, we could feel the warmth of the local people, especially the youth. I believe that as we become less phobic to them, these minor communities grow more confident of themselves.

Exactly. Here, we also spotted many transgender people with paint brushes to support your team.

Considering the kind of discrimination the LGBTQ+ community faces in public, its people begin to distance themselves from other genders. How do you help them become self-assured and more positive?

That’s right. I, personally, push my friends to take public transport more often so they get rid of the inhibition within. Recently, when some of us planned a foreign trip together, we experienced a crazy ride getting the paperwork of the Trans friends done. Nevertheless, the struggle was compensated when the officials respectfully addressed my friends with pronouns they identify themselves with. The positive change in our system is slowly manifesting.

What tips do you have for straight people who want to extend their love and support to the LGBTQ+ community?

My only suggestion is to be friends with them. Don’t fear or hate them. All they seek is love and hey, it’s never too bad to have an extra bunch of friends who are certain to ‘trans’form your life!

Lastly, what has been your learning?

Having friends from the LGBTQ+ community has helped me become more compassionate as an individual. Having lived in their company for the longest time, I was able to recognize the typical human tendency within us of blowing up our petty issues. I’ve learned that moving your consciousness a little towards the betterment of those in need is the best you can do for self-growth.